<p></p><p>Abstract The goal of this study is to assess the elements associated with the negative self-assessment of health among nursing workers. We performed a cross-sectional exploratory study, with a probability sample composed of 451 Primary Health Care nursing workers. We applied a questionnaire with sociodemographic data, as well as data on life habits, occupations, psychosocial aspects and satisfaction at work and morbidity of the workers. The self-assessment of health was measured through the question “Overall, in comparison with other people your age, how would you consider your own health status?” The data was analyzed using the model of logistic regression in blocks. We identified a prevalence of 15.8% of negative health self-assessments. The factors associated to it were: incompatibility of the activities developed with the position, medium and high housework overload, active work situation (high control, high demand), poor assessment of the quality of life, and common mental disorders. The findings confirm the relationship between the health-disease process and the life and working conditions, and point to a need for public policies of prevention and promotion of the health of nursing workers. By constituting favorable work situations, these policies may be highly relevant for the quality of the care provided to the users of the Brazilian Unified Health System (Sistema Único de Saúde, SUS, in the Portuguese acronym).</p><p></p>